Mariners C
The Mariners smartly kept 1B Josh Naylor on a good deal after he solidified the position. The team was able to trade for 2B/OF Brendon Donovan who has been a consistent bat with good potential to be even better taking advantage of the Cardinals rebuild. Signing OF Rob Refsnyder is a good low risk move as a player who has been solid against lefties. The team loss power bat 3B Eugenio Suarez who will be missed and 2B/DH Jorge Polanco who had a solid season and postseason also, but Donovan takes his spot. The team also traded away two top prospects in P Jurrangelo Cijntje and 3B Ben Williamson while also letting some relief pitching go. The main free agent left is C/DH Mitch Garver who didn’t bring the same success he had with the Rangers.
Rangers B
The Rangers pulled off the big trade for P MacKenzie Gore from the Nationals giving up multiple prospects including top prospect SS/3B Gavin Fien. Gore is a solid #2 pitcher with ace potential and should have more run support with the Rangers. The team also traded for OF Brandon Nimmo from the Mets giving them a consistent bat with power in exchange for 2B Marcus Semien who still has good defense, but bat has declined. The team also made additions to the bullpen and brought back starter Jordan Montgomery who is coming off a down year but had success with the Rangers before. The team loss P Merrill Kelly who they added at the deadline, OF Adolis Garcia coming off another down year, P Tyler Mahle who had a solid season, and C Jonah Heim. Gore offsets Kelly, Nimmo upgrades Garcia, Montgomery could replace Mahle, and veteran Danny Jansen was signed to replace Heim. Veteran P Patrick Corbin is a free agent, 2B/3B Donovan Solano a good depth piece, and 1B Rowdy Tellez who still has a lot of power in his bat.
Astros D
The Astros signed Japanese P Tatsuya Imai who is coming off a solid season and should be in his prime at 27 as a #3 maybe even #2 pitcher, they will need him to replace #2 P Framber Valdez who left in free agency. The team traded for relief P Mike Burrows who helps the bullpen while cutting some costs trading for OF Joey Loperfido who has good potential and 2B/SS Nick Allen who provides depth. The team loss utility player Mauricio Dubon, OF Jesus Sanchez, C Victor Caratini, and relief pitcher Craig Kembrel. The production from Sanchez and Dubon and the power of Caratini will be missed, while Kembrel was a good late addition. The team may still trade 3B Isaac Paredes to continue to improve.
Athletics C-
The A’s coming off a good season didn’t make a lot of moves but upgraded the 2B position with a trade for Jeff McNeil from the Mets who brings good defense, a consistent bat, and versatility with the Mets also helping with his salary. The team signed P Aaron Civale who can still be a good backend starter and signed two relief pitchers to improve the bullpen. The team loss power bat OF J.J. Bleday and relief pitcher Sean Newcomb.
Angels C+
The Angels pulled off a good trade for P Grayson Rodriguez from the Orioles who proved to be a good #2 pitcher when healthy in exchange for OF Taylor Ward which might pay off as he seems motivated to rebound. The team traded for OF Josh Lowe from the Rays who is a good replacement for Ward as a power bat with good consistency, but he needs to stay healthy. The team re-signed 3B Yoan Moncado who was able to stay somewhat healthy coming off a good season after years of injuries. The team also signed P Kirby Yates, P Alex Manoah, 2B/SS Vaughn Grissom, and veteran utility player Chris Taylor who all have been productive in the past but need to rebound especially Grissom at 25 years old. The team signed a lot of relief pitching to help a struggling bullpen. The team loss closer Kenley Jansen who will be replaced by Yates and 2B/3B Luis Rengifo who has been a solid bat.
